Health Fair set for Feb. 22

The annual Pike County Health Fair will be held Friday, Feb. 22 from 7-11 a.m. with many free screenings for citizens. The health fair, sponsored by the Pike County Cooperative Extension and Pike County Farm Bureau, will be held at Life Springs Church at Highways 19 south and 109 east.’There are several new exhibitors for this year’s health fair,’ said Helen Carter, family and consumer sciences agent with Cooperative Extension, coordinator of the event. ‘The event is open to all citizens concerned about their health.’Free screenings include balance assessment, blood glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, carpal tunnel, foot assessment, hearing, pulmonary function study and vision screening.Upson Regional Medical Center will provide these services for a fee: Fasting blood sugar and lipid profile, $10; thyroid stimulating hormone, $5; PSA for males only, $5; colorectal cancer screening kit, $5; and EKG, $10. For the blood tests it is recommended one fast for eight hours prior beforehand for more accurate results.Fasting blood glucose is a blood test to help a physician assess for diabetes. The lipid profile is a panel of five blood tests that measures total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood. The thyroid stimulating hormone test helps assess function of the thyroid gland. The prostate screening antigen (PSA) measures prostate health.The EKG, electrocardiogram, measures electrical activity of the heartbeat. The test will be interpreted by a skilled internal medicine physician. Within 10 days, a participants’ personal physician will receive the results. A letter will be mailed to the person regarding the results, encouraging follow-up with the doctor. If the participant does not have a doctor, results will be mailed directly to the patient.URMC will send results of lab tests from the health fair directly to the patient but urges they be taken to a family physician for review, said Carter. Laboratory testing should be used along with other examinations and medical history obtained by a family physician.Thirty-one exhibitors will provide educational information on various health related topics. Exhibitor organizations include:Pike Extension, Farm Bureau, Amedisys, American Cancer Society, Amerigroup Real Solutions, Angels of Hope, Atlanta Heart Alliance, Audiological Consultants of Atlanta, Beck, Owen and Murray, Pike County Boys and Girls Club, Brightmoor Hospice, City Pharmacy, Council on Aging, Coastal Home Care, Curves for Women, Healthcare Products, Heartland Hospice, Hemophilia of Georgia, McIntosh Trail Management Services, Mid-Georgia Cattlewomen’s Association, Palmetto Family Dental, Pike Lions Club, the senior citizens center, Providence Health and Rehabilitation, Right from the Start Medicaid, Roosevelt Institute, Spalding Regional Hospital, Spalding Women Specialists, United Bank, URMC and Well Care of Georgia.’Come join us Feb. 22 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and take advantage of maintaining a healthy lifestyle,’ said Carter. For information call Carter at 770-567-2010.